by Monica Tunnell

Created on: November 01, 2008

It is 3:30 on Tuesday afternoon. I am sitting in the viewing area of a children's gymnastics franchise watching my son as he attempts to do a backward somersault or "floor roll" as they call it now. Six other parents are in the same room with me, all carefully seated with at least one chair between them and the next person. As I continue to watch my son, I notice one of the fathers hovering over his youngest charge (not more than two judging by her size) while he waits for his son to be finished with class. This little girl is in the stage of curiosity that any parent knows or remembers well. She bobbles throughout the waiting area with eagerness as she explores her surroundings. First, she tries the door to make an attempt at joining her older brother's class, but Daddy tells her that the door is locked (with a fairly convincing demonstration of trying to turn the handle). Next, she ambles toward the collection of womens' purses scattered throughout the room as Daddy calmly, but firmly utters "no" at each attempted touch. Then, she decides to communicate with a little boy, about three, also waiting for his sibling to emerge from the connected gymnasium. At this point, she hits the little boy (not hard), probably trying to get his attention, and Daddy gives another emphatic "No! We don't hit, it hurts!". I thought to myself that the reason given was a sound one, and that at least this "no" came with an explanation attached to it. The little girl then took off for the door again, attempting the handle once more. Her father quickly slapped her wrist and said, "no". This did not deter her from sticking out her hand again to reach for the handle. Another slap on the hand accompanied by a "no". Once again, this determined little one was unaffected. A final attempt at the forbidden door was made. This time she received the usual slapped hand, and the accompanying "no", but now Daddy exclaims, "Do you want to get hit again" Do you like to be hit?" As she finally wondered off, he followed behind, muttering under his breath, "Kids these days" in a frustrated tone.

Children learn by examples that are set for them. Someday in the near future, it will be friends, celebrities and heros they try to emulate, but for now, they have you. At their most critical stages of development, where they form crucial habits that will make your life either more difficult or a piece of cake, they have you. Think of how you would like your child to behave, and then be that-all of the time.

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